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(No Model.)

B. GRASER.

GOAT.

No. 349,274. P a tented Sept. 14, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDIVARD GRASER, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ROSETTA A. GRASER, OF SAME PLACE.

COAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,274, dated September 14, 1886.

Application filed February 1, 1886. Serial No. 190.419. (No model.)

to all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, EDWARD GRASER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Elmira, Ghemung county, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Coats and' like Garments, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a coat with breasts and shoulders which will permanently retain the desired shape, and, if the coat is properly fitted in the first instance, will not break, wrinkle, or allow the coat to sag. This object I attain by providing the breast and shoulder portion of the coat with a pad of the character set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view showing a coat constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 a view of the pad for the breast and shoulder of the coat.

Ordinarily, in making coats and like garments, it is usual to stiifen and give form to the shoulder and breast portion by means of a stiffening-pad, generally made of hair-cloth, this pad being sometimes combined with padding or wadding, and sometimes secured to the facing of the coat or garment; the usual method, however, being to fasten or secure the pad to the canvas or other material, which serves as a means of attaching the pad and as a lining for the lapel of the coat. The objection to the hair-cloth now used for the pad or stiffening is that it possesses but a limited degree of flexibility, and is liable to become broken by use and frequent handling of the garnient, the pad soon failing to perform its proper function, and thus causing the breast and shoulders of the garment to become permanently wrinkled, and permitting them to sag when the coat is worn loosely. I overcome this objection by making the breast-pad of rubber cloth, preferably faced on one or both sides with fabric of any desired character, the pad a being cut to the proper nently retaining its flexibility, no amount of handling of the garment will suffice to cause the pad to break or wrinkle, the coat being caused to set smoothly to the breast and shoulders, and the front of the coat being prevented from sagging, even when the coat is worn loosely or in the unbuttoned condition shown in Fig. 1. The pad is preferably made in the first instance of uncured rubber, and is given the proper shape which it is to assume in the garment by means of hot irons or dies, and while retaining this shape is cured or vulcanized, so as to give it a permanent set, as shown in Fig. 2.

I am aware that rubber or rubber cloth has been used as a dress-protector andas a stiffener for trousers-legs, hence I do not claim, broadly, the use of rubber or rubber cloth as a stiffening material; but

I claim as my invention The within-described coat, having the breast and shoulders in front of the armhole provided with a flexible lining-pad of rubber or rubber cloth, whereby the coat is prevented from sagging or becoming permanently wrinkled, all substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWVARD GRASER. Witnesses:

J. N. WARD, CASSIUS A. PHILLIPS. 

